Alstom, Siemens boards consider train builder merger

Tunisian government to be dissolved, PM announces

Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali said Wednesday evening that the government will be dissolved and a national unity cabinet formed after the assassination of prominent opposition leader, Chokri Belaid, earlier in the day.

Outspoken secular Tunisian opposition leader Chokri Belaid was shot at close range while leaving his Tunis in the morning on February 6. He died on the way to hospital.

Slain opposition leader’s widow, Basma Belaid, told FRANCE 24 she had no doubt the ruling Islamist Ennahda party was responsible for the murder.

Ennahda leaders deny responsibility for the killing.

Thousands of demonstrators take to the streets of Tunis and other towns, torching Ennahda offices, calling for the end of the Ennahda-led government. One policeman killed in clashes with protesters.

Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali said he will form a new government of technocrats and calls for elections “as soon as possible”.

Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki cut short his visit to France after addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg and returned to Tunis.

Opposition parties agreed to pull out their members from the constituent assembly, which is writing a new constitution and also functions as an acting parliament. They also issue a call for a general strike.

In swift and shocked international condemnations, French President François Hollande said, “Tunisia has been deprived of one of its bravest and most free voices.” US calls for credible, independent investigation.

Follow the day’s events, as it happened, by clicking on the FRANCE 24 liveblog below.